Redmond teen invents a better way to butter

The perfectly buttered tub of popcorn — that was Mitchell Duffy's goal.

For Duffy, 16, the crunchy snack is his favorite movie-theater treat, but he grew annoyed that only the top layer of the popcorn got the concessionaire's squirt of butter.

Buckets of butterless popcorn prompted Duffy, a junior at Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, to invent the "Butter Blaster." The invention is a long, thin cylinder with small holes that can be shimmied into a tub of popcorn. It then spreads the warm butter more evenly on the popcorn. He entered the invention in the National Invention Showcase, and in June he learned that he'd won second place and $2,500.

"I'd go to the movie theater with friends, and we'd try to use a drink straw to shoot the butter into the popcorn," said Duffy, who lives in Redmond. "I think I've had this idea since sixth grade, and I've tried using different size holes and different diameters for the tube."

Duffy has already applied for a provisional patent. He is working on a longer-term patent, which will take more time and money. He hopes that one day popcorn consumers will find his Butter Blaster at local movie theaters.

"I'd like to market it to popcorn-bucket manufacturers," Duffy said. "But first I want to make sure I have all the protection of a patent."

There were strict guides for qualifying to enter the competition, which was put on by the Electrical Retailing Association and the Future Business Leaders of America.

"This was not a science fair where you make a diorama," said Paige Muller, vice president of marking and communication with the Electrical Retailing Association. "The guidelines included having a patent pending, building a working prototype, creating something innovative and creative."

The grand prize went to Julia and Caroline La Roche, a sister team from Farmville, Va., for their invention called "Flea Tea," a natural herb remedy that kills fleas on cats and dogs without harmful side effects.

Six inventions were honored, including the "Floating Gaming Table" with drink holders and chip trays for playing games in a pool or spa, and the "Gesture System for Computer Interface." It has two glovelike devices worn by a computer user that read hand movements and allow the user to type or move the cursor without using a keyboard or mouse.

"This was meant to be a taste — if you are going to become an entrepreneur, here's what that means," Muller said.

Duffy is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America through his high school, and says he has thought about one day becoming a chef and opening his own restaurant, although popcorn likely won't be on the menu. He enjoys cooking gourmet Italian and Cajun dishes.

"I don't know yet what I want to be," said Duffy, who is an International Baccalaureate student at Inglemoor. "But I don't think I want to be an astronaut."

When he's not inventing or cooking, Duffy is active in the Boy Scouts. Today, he is departing for New Mexico for a 100-mile backpacking trip with other members of his troop.

"He's like a sponge, he has so many diversified interests," said Jackie Duffy, his mother. "It's hard to say where his interests will run to next."

Rachel Tuinstra: 206-515-5637 or rtuinstra@seattletimes.com